Is There a Way to Get Legal Action on Child Support for Free?

Free or inexpensively? Yes, there are ways. Each jurisdiction has different ways of providing these free and/or inexpensive legal services. With rare, if any, exception, these free and/or inexpensive legal…

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Is It a Conflict of Interest and Is It Unethical if I Saw My Divorce Attorney Hug My Husband in Court?

Not likely. Black's Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019) defines conflict of interest as: A real or seeming incompatibility between the interests of two of a lawyer's clients, such that the…

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If you give a divorce lawyer a retainer on a divorce and then change your mind within a few days, are they obligated to return the retainer?

While I cannot speak for all jurisdictions and for all situations, generally an attorney to whom you have paid a retainer or advance deposit is obligated to return the unearned…

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Fox v. Fox 2022 UT App 88 – alimony

Fox v. Fox 2022 UT App 88 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DIANN SHERI FOX, Appellant, v. BENJAMIN DAVIS FOX, Appellee. Opinion No. 20200949-CA Filed July 14, 2022 Fifth District…

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Nix v. Nix – 2022 UT App 83- insufficient evidence of adultery

2022 UT App 83 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JILL NIX, Appellee, v. ROLAND COMPTON NIX JR., Appellant. Opinion No. 20200691-CA Filed June 30, 2022 Fourth District Court, Provo Department…

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Erickson v. Erickson – 2022 UT App 27

THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DEAN ERICKSON, Appellee, v. JANICE ERICKSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20200193-CA Filed March 3, 2022 Third District Court, Salt Lake Department The Honorable Todd M. Shaughnessy…

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Hinds v Hinds-Holm – 2022 UT App 13 – child custody award factors

Hinds v Hinds-Holm - 2022 UT App 13 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS BRADLEY HINDS, Appellee, v. RACHEL HINDS-HOLM, Appellant. Opinion No. 20200586-CA Filed January 27, 2022 Third District Court,…

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Wadsworth v. Wadsworth – 2022 UT App 5 – marital estate

2022 UT App 5  THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS  CANDI WADSWORTH, Appellant, v. GUY L. WADSWORTH, Appellee.  Opinion No. 20190106-CA No. 20200430-CA Filed January 13, 2022  Third District Court, Salt…

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T.W. v. S.A. – 2021 UT App 132 – child custody

2021 UT App 132  THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS  T.W., Appellant, v. S.A., Appellee.  Opinion  No. 20200397-CA  Filed November 26, 2021  Third District Court, West Jordan Department  The Honorable Dianna…

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Does greed also have a role in most divorce cases?

In my experience, yes, in most cases. Not all cases, but most cases. And there are varying degrees of greed reflected in the way people approach their divorce cases. Some…

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How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong Divorce Lawyer

So you've paid your divorce attorney $10,000 or so, it's been 6 months, and essentially nothing's getting done. What went wrong? It could be many things. If you have a…

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How do I best grab the attention of an attorney regarding a child custody case that is unusual, difficult, and I need help?

With money.  And enough money to prove you can afford to pay the attorney to do the job well.  Enough money to make the job worthwhile for the lawyer. That’s…

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What questions do people ask about divorce?

The FIRST questions most frequently asked of me are: “How much can I expect it to cost me in total to get a divorce?” “What is your hourly rate?” “What…

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How long will an attorney work on your case if you can’t afford to pay them any more? This would be for a divorce, and they start to realize that they’re not going to get money from the other spouse. 

Good question.  It depends mostly upon whether your attorney has a big heart and/or no head for business. Generally, an attorney who takes your case without being paid as he/she…

Continue ReadingHow long will an attorney work on your case if you can’t afford to pay them any more? This would be for a divorce, and they start to realize that they’re not going to get money from the other spouse. 

How long will an attorney work on your case if you can’t afford to pay them any more? This would be for a divorce and they start to realize that they’re not going to get money from the other spouse.

It depends mostly upon whether your attorney has a big heart and/or no head for business. Generally, an attorney who takes your case without being paid as he/she goes, but…

Continue ReadingHow long will an attorney work on your case if you can’t afford to pay them any more? This would be for a divorce and they start to realize that they’re not going to get money from the other spouse.

How do I get free legal advice from a family law attorney on the custody of my 2 nieces?

In my experience, free legal advice is worth what you pay for it, but I understand that there are some (even many) who simply cannot afford an attorney (or believe…

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In what ways do pro-bono cases help attorneys and law firms?

There are some great answers in this thread already. I hope that adding my two cents’ worth is informative too. I am a divorce and family lawyer. With rare exception…

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2021 UT App 77 – Miner v. Miner – alimony, attorney fees

2021 UT App 77  THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS      LISA P. MINER, Appellee,   JOHN E. MINER, Appellant.      Opinion   No. 20200098-CA   Filed July 15, 2021      Fifth District Court,…

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The Utah courthouses will be re-opening soon. Don’t go back!

With the COVID-19 crisis essentially behind us now (please don't start on the Delta variant) the Utah courts are re-opening the courthouses. And there's nothing wrong with that . .…

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Nakkina v. Mahanthi – 2021 UT App 63 – joint equal custody, marital property, attorney fees

Nakkina v. Mahanthi - 2021 UT App 63 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SIREESHA NAKKINA, Appellee, v. PRODEEP KUMAR MAHANTHI, Appellant. Opinion No. 20190750-CA Filed June 17, 2021 Third District…

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Who are the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount?

With rare exception, the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount are either 1) incompetent and inept attorneys or 2) attorneys whose source of income or main…

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Did you ever go to court and realize for the judges and attorneys it’s kind of all a big game?

Yes, in my experience, there are aspects of the legal system and the practice of law that some lawyers and judges see and treat as a game. You see lawyers…

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How do lawyers drag out court cases?

How do lawyers drag out court cases? In some respects, the ways are limited only by the power of one’s imagination, but the most common ways I have experienced in…

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Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I need to pay him for this time. At this rate I my lawyer will become a secretary and I will be bankrupt.

Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I…

Continue ReadingShould I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I need to pay him for this time. At this rate I my lawyer will become a secretary and I will be bankrupt.

Why is my lawyer ignoring me?

Why is my lawyer ignoring me? There are many possible reasons. Lawyers are notorious for being hard to reach and for being unresponsive and nonresponsive. If you aren’t paying your…

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Why do lawyers get paid no matter the results?

Why do lawyers get paid no matter the results? Your question assumes a false fact. Lawyers are not always paid no matter the results. One example is a contingency fee…

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I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support?

I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support? Can you try? Yes. Will you…

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Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court?

Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court (pro se)? Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court?…

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Are older lawyers better?

Are older lawyers better? If by “older” you mean lawyers who are not fresh out of law school, the answer is: almost always yes. They don’t teach you how to…

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Is it more important for an attorney to have the money or the talent to litigate and win a case (example in the situation of your choosing)?

Is it more important for an attorney to have the money or the talent to litigate and win a case (example in the situation of your choosing)? There are many…

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How is it possible that people go bankrupt during divorce in the USA? Isn’t it a 50/50 split?

How is it possible that people go bankrupt during divorce in the USA? Isn't it a 50/50 split? It’s not “the divorce” that causes people to go bankrupt, it’s the…

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What are some things that profitable attorneys do differently?

What are some things that profitable attorneys do differently? One thing that many do: sell false hope. Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277 https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-things-that-profitable-attorneys-do-differently/answer/Eric-Johnson-311  

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How do I fight a DUI without a lawyer?

How do I fight a DUI without a lawyer? You don’t. Too much at stake. Too hard to do on your own. I’m a lawyer (a divorce and family law…

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Utah Divorce Case Timeline Summary

Utah Divorce Case Timeline Summary The greatest influence on how long a divorce case takes is usually how much and how severely the parties fight over the issues. The more…

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Can I get a cost-free divorce if, say, my spouse is verbally and emotionally abusive?

Can I get a cost-free divorce if, say, my spouse is verbally and emotionally abusive? In a sense, yes, but not because of a finding that your spouse “verbally and…

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Do I have a chance in divorce court without a lawyer? Do I really need one?

A chance? Sure. You have a chance. And you have a chance of winning the lottery, just not a very good chance of it. You may not want to read…

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2020 UT App 34 – Petrzelka v. Goodwin – alimony, income, retirement funds

2020 UT App 34 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS PEGGY PETRZELKA, Appellee, v. JAMES E. GOODWIN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180923-CA Filed March 5, 2020 First District Court, Logan Department The…

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What are you tired of explaining when it comes to lawyers?

Nothing. When I am tempted to feel irritated over the questions people ask about lawyers and legal matters, I remember that the questions--though recurring--aren’t being asked by the same person…

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Can I ask a lawyer, “Would you elaborate your legal fees?”?

Of course you can ask the attorney to explain the basis for his/her legal fees and services pricing. Any attorney worth his/her salt and who has the requisite amount of…

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Has the ability of lawyers to advertise been beneficial to our legal system?

Unquestionably, yes. Now don’t misunderstand me. When I say that the ability of lawyers to advertise has been unquestionably beneficial to our legal system, that does not mean I’m saying…

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Martin v. Kristensen – 2019 UT App 127 – divorce and unlawful detainer

Martin v. Kristensen - 2019 UT App 127 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS YVONNE MARTIN, Appellant, v. PETTER KRISTENSEN AND FRANK O. KRISTENSEN, Appellees. Opinion No. 20160265-CA Filed July 26,…

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